Chapter Three

"San Francisco.." Melina said slowly, testing the unknown word out. "Is it nice there?"

Piper nodded.

"Is Cole from there too?" Emily asked. "You two seem to know each other but Cole refuses to speak about his past."

"For good reason, dear," Cole told Emily, his hand over hers.

"Don't you want to share your heritage? Wha are we if we have no history?"

"Does he listen to you?" Piper asked Emily.

"He listens to no one," Emily said, chuckling. Oh yes, Piper knew.

"A family member of mine," Piper said "is sick. I'm trying to convince your husband to come visit her".

"Oh?"

"Maybe you can talk some sense into him"

"I'll try."

Cole looked at the charade. He knew Emily would do no such thing. Questioning his made up mind was never a good thing.

"Piper, this is an extremely inappropriate time. We'll discuss that later."

"When would it be appropriate?" she snapped.

Emily was stunned. Nobody dared talked to Cole like that and if anyone tried they certainly didn't get away with it. Who was this woman from her husband's past?

"How did you meet?" Piper asked. Emily seemed puzzled at the question.

"I did business with Emily's father," Cole told Piper, "It was an arranged marriage."

"Isn't that how it is everywhere, in San Francisco too?" Emily asked. "Fathers always choose their daughter a husband."

"We have a bit more freedom at home," Piper said quietly. She had nearly forgotten that women were expected to do as they were instructed. Women only recently got the freedom the deserved.

Emily smiled. "Some of my childhood friends were to wed old men. I was lucky to get such a handsome and romantic husband… Ms Halliwell, I notice your wedding band. Are you married?"

Piper thought for a moment but said nothing.

"You forgot charming, Em," Cole said to his wife. "I swept you off your feet because I'm the most charming man in the world."

"So it's romantic and charming? My, my, I must be lucky."

Jessica and Melina giggled. Emily blushed and smiled at Cole and he smiled back. He put his hand over hers.

For the first time Piper didn't see Cole as a demon in a charade as a family man, though rather as a happily married guy. Piper had always thought of Cole and Phoebe as the dysfunctional couple, star crossed lovers – they had been through too much to be together but loved each other too much that they could never ever truly move on.The impression that Piper got was that he was sad to have lost Phoebe but very in love with his wife. It extremely surprised her to see Cole like this.

Jessica had finished eating. She asked politely "Can I go now?"
"Please?" Cole instructed.
"Please," she repeated.
"Only after you put away your dishes" Emily added. "Exuse me," Emily said to Piper as she followed her children.

"Liking the home life, Cole?" Piper asked.

"It's good," he said absentmindedly as he watched his daughters race outside. "Too much dirt in the house but I guess that's what the maids are for"

Piper laughed.

"How's Wyatt doing?"

"If I remember correctly you were vanquished before my son was born."

Cole smiled. "I'm all knowing, Piper, you should know that by now."

"Then you should know who Chris is."

"Not a clue."

"My second son," she told him. "He was born just a few months ago."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Piper's demeanor suddenly changed. They both knew she was back on her gameplan.

"Cole, please"

"No."

"You don't even know what I'm about to say!"

"You're going to ask me to choose between my family and my ex-girlfriend. Believe me, the ex who sent me to hell is not the winner."

"Ex-wife, Cole."

"What?"

"Not ex-girlfriend, ex-wife."

"Whatever, same difference".

Cole paused for a moment. "I blocked all magical portals within a hundred miles. How did you get here?"

"Potion."

"And where'd you get that? Or did you have the magical recipe?"

"Some new demons. They call themselves the Avatars."

For the first time since Piper had arrived he looked surprised.

"You know who they are? No demon or witch alike can find out who they are. They're claiming to be nor good or evil."

Cole said nothing.

"Thy want us to join them, to make a magical change in the way the universe works and create utopia. No demons."

"Good can't exist without evil, Piper. When will you ever learn?"

"And what if you're wrong?"

"You've been in this game, what, six or seven years? Me? Over a hundred. Believe me when I say it is impossible. You will be fighting the good fight until you die."